New Delhi: Sounding the poll bugle in Chhattisgarh, Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Thursday urged the people to repose faith in her party again and hit out at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) saying they did nothing during their 15-year rule in the state, except indulging in corruption, looting people and ignoring their pain. Addressing a gathering at Lalbag Maidan in Jagdalpur city, the headquarters of Bastar district, Priyanka said Bastar, earlier known for Naxalite violence, has now transformed into a "brand" for arts and other products.
“The Bhupesh Baghel government has been working to empower people of the state. It did not violate your trust. You have seen the 15-year rule of the BJP and had placed trust in them too. But what happened? Only `bhay, bhukh and bhrastachar' (fear, hunger and corruption) were prevalent then," the Congress general secretary said.
During an event titled 'Bharose Ka Sammelan', Priyanka Gandhi and Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel launched the Adivasi Parab Samman Nidhi Yojana, under which financial assistance will be provided to Gram Panchayats for organising tribal festivals, fairs and religious programs.
Further slamming the saffron party, she said, “Your lands were snatched away and you were handcuffed. They made you dependent, not self-reliant. They broke your self-confidence and ignored your pain. The Congress government has returned you your pride and worked to empower you.”
"You (tribals of the region) have got identity across the country and abroad because of your handicrafts, other arts and processed food products," she added.
“Now you are seeing a government which has been working day and night for your uplift and development, now it is up to you to decide whom you will support," she said.
Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel was present as the chief guest at the event which was attended by a large number of tribals from Bastar region which comprises seven districts.
Notably, assembly elections are due in the Congress-ruled state later this year.